Race and Ethnicity in Cardiac Surgery: A Missed Opportunity?

BACKGROUND

Patients' race and/or ethnicity are increasingly being associated with differential surgical access and outcomes in cardiac surgery. However, deriving evidence-based conclusions that can inform surgical care has been difficult because of poor diversity in study populations and conflicting research methodology and findings. Using a fictional patient example, this review identifies areas of concern in research engagement, methodology, and analyses, as well as potential steps to improve race and ethnicity considerations in cardiac surgical research.

METHODS

A narrative literature review was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, with a combination of cardiac surgery, race, ethnicity, and disparities keywords.

RESULTS

Less than half of the published cardiac surgery randomized control trials report the race and/or ethnicity of research participants. Racial and/or ethnic minorities make up <20% of most study populations and are significantly underrepresented relative to their proportions of the general population. Further, race and/or ethnicity of research participants is variably categorized based on ancestry, geographic regions, cultural similarities, or minority status. There is growing consideration of analyzing interrelated and confounding variables, such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, or hospital quality, to better elucidate racial and/or ethnic disparities; however, intersectionality considerations remain limited in cardiac surgery research.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial and/or ethnic disparities are increasingly being reported in research engagement, cardiac pathologies, and surgical outcomes. To promote equitable surgical care, tangible efforts are needed to recruit racially and/or ethnically minoritized patients to research studies, be transparent and consistent in their groupings, and elucidate the impact of their intersectional social identities.

Wellness and burnout in cardiac surgery: not black and white

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite a growing emphasis on burnout in medicine, there remains a paucity of data in cardiac surgery. Herein, we summarize recent data on cardiac surgeon well being and identify factors for consideration in future burnout inquiries and management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Overall, 70-90% of cardiothoracic surgeons report job satisfaction in the United States. However, 35-60% still endorse burnout symptoms, and the specialty reports some of the highest rates of depression (35-40%) and suicidal ideation (7%). Such negative experiences are greater among early-stage and female surgeons and may be addressed through targeted, program-specific wellness policies. Canada's single-payer healthcare system might exacerbate surgeon burnout due to lower financial compensation and job autonomy.

SUMMARY

Cardiothoracic surgeons appear simultaneously burnt out and professionally fulfilled. They report a high incidence of depression and clock in the most hours, yet the majority would choose this specialty again. These findings reveal a more nuanced state of well being than previously appreciated and speak to ambiguities in how burnout is conceived and measured. A broader examination across surgical and social contexts highlights the hierarchical nature of burnout factors and potential ways forward. Collectively, these insights can inform assessments of burnout in Canadian cardiac surgery that remain absent to date.

2023 Update on equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canadian cardiac surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite efforts to diversify the medical field, cardiac surgery remains amongst the least diverse specialties. Specifically, the percentage of women and racial minorities has remained low in past few decades. This may impact prospective trainee recruitment and surgical care. This paper highlights recent efforts that aim to promote diversity and inclusion of the Canadian cardiac surgical workforce.

RECENT FINDINGS

Formal programs have been established to support students at different stages of training. In 2022, the Canadian Society for Cardiac Surgery has released an equity, diversity, and inclusion statement to summarize the current state and the strategic goals to accomplish a more just working environment. At the local level, the University of Toronto Next Surgeon high school pilot program, provided low-income, women, and racial minority students mentorship and experiential exposure to our field. Also, the University of Toronto, scholarships funded summer research with cardiac surgeons for women, as well as Black and Indigenous medical students.

SUMMARY

Tangible efforts that target high school, undergraduate, and medical students are underway to promote equity and diversity of cardiac surgeons in Canada. Future studies that evaluate the gaps and identify bottlenecks could better guide interventions at institutions across the country.

Engaging medical students in cardiac surgery: a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic prohibited Canadian medical students from in-person observerships. This may be particularly detrimental to under-represented groups that may consider surgical subspecialties. To address the unprecedented need for alternative surgical career exploration and diversity within the profession, The University of Toronto Cardiac Surgery Interest Group and Division of Cardiac Surgery collaborated on virtual experiential programming.

RECENT FINDINGS

Medical students were invited to virtual (1) observerships of a cardiac bypass case, (2) mentorship sessions with surgeons, (3) resident teaching sessions, (4) multidisciplinary case-based Heart Team discussions to further their understanding of the scope of Cardiac surgery, and (5) a virtual coronary anastomosis training program. Additionally, a comprehensive virtual program was spearheaded to increase interest in Cardiac surgery among low-income Black high school students.

SUMMARY

Trainee response to the virtual education, mentorship, and skill acquisition was positive. Trainees reported high levels of interest in the profession, particularly among females and under-represented minorities, supporting the principles of equity diversity, and inclusion in Cardiac surgery.